Texas vs Arkansas 2014 Bowl game
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I didn't realize people on here wanted to watch a Texas and Arkansas Bowl game. Sorry about that. My mistake.
So you don't think Miner fans would want to take a look at how Arkansas, our first opponent, finished the season last year?
Arkansas finished off strong last year after a grueling start.
The hype leading up to this game has been their O line versus UTEP d lineman due to size versus experience. They have beef, lots of it up front, but UTEP has very experienced defensive lineman with future NFL'er Roy Robertson-Harris who has scouts watching him just as much as they watch Jones. at 6 foot 7 inches 255 lbs, NFL scout salivate at his strength, size and experience.
However, unlike UTEP who have a solid rb unit led by Jones, the hogs are nursing injuries at the rb reserve area and their starter, Williams, is the only one who is claimed to be at one hundred percent, but he has been held out of some scrimmages during fall practice.
The scariest person UTEP needs to watch out for is the TE Hunter Henry who was tabbed by ESPN as a pre-season first team All American. Kansas State TE's man handled and whipped up UTEP really good last year. Hopefully there is no repeat. As per ESPN....."
"Tight end Hunter Henry was named Monday as a first-team preseason All-American by ESPN.
Henry, a junior who leads all SEC tight ends with 65 receptions the past two seasons, is one of six SEC players on the All-America list and the only tight end.
The Pulaski Academy product had 28 receptions for 409 yards and 2 touchdowns as a freshman and 37 catches for 513 yards and 2 touchdowns last year. Henry has two career 100-yard games, including a career-best 110 yards on seven catches last season in a 17-10 loss at No. 1 Mississippi State.
Henry was also a first-team preseason All-America choice by Athlon Sports and was named to the watch list for the John Mackey Award, which is given each year to the nation’s top tight end.
Henry and senior offensive guard Sebastian Tretola were the two Razorbacks named on ESPN’s preseason All-SEC team. Tretola did not allow a sack in 2014 and was called for only four penalties".http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/aug/25/razorbacks-football-report/?f=sports
The UTEP defensive front includes lineman Gino Bresolin, left, lineman Nick Usher, linebacker Alvin Jones, linebacker Jimmy Musgrave and lineman Roy Robertson-Harris. (MARK LAMBIE — EL PASO TIMES)
UTEP defense is vastly improved behind stout line By Bret Bloomquist / El Paso Times
For so many years, the sight of the UTEP defense running onto the field was a cue for Miner fans to cover their eyes.
A triple-digit national ranking was the norm for a unit that was perennially undersized up front, a trend that carried into Sean Kugler's first season when the Miners had to change defensive coordinators and schemes after his first spring.
Then, suddenly, the culture changed.
From the midpoint of last season on through the Gildan New Mexico Bowl, the defense fulfilled the visions of Kugler and defensive coordinator Scott Stoker as a hard-hitting, aggressive, physical, turnover-producing machine.
That all began on the line and at linebacker, a pair of groups that traditionally were where UTEP had been the most severe shortcomings.
"It all starts up front," said Roy Robertson-Harris, who at 6-foot-7, 255 pounds looks the most like an NFL football player on the squad. "The good thing is with our experience, me being a senior and Ush (Nick Usher) and Gino (Bresolin) being juniors, we get it done. It all goes back to with a good defense, it starts up front."
That's become a good thing. UTEP returns five of the front-six starters from the end of last season, giving the Miners both experience and chemistry.
"We're a brotherhood," Usher said. "It starts with us flying to the ball with athletic ends and nose tackles, running to the ball. The defense always has to start up front."
That's what Kugler said was going to happen when he took over the program.
"I feel real good about our (defensive) line and our depth there at that position, particularly at the end position," he said. "I think we're bigger than we've been inside; we're in the 280-290 (pound) range. The linebackers we have great depth and experience with Alvin Jones, Jimmy Musgrave and Trey Brown. Those guys have all started and had great success for us."
That success blossomed in the final half of 2014 when the defense led a charge that saw UTEP win five of its last seven regular-season games.
"I really felt from the quarter point of last year, particularly after the La. Tech game, our defense flew around," Kugler said. "They were disruptive, they made plays behind the line of scrimmage, they forced turnovers and the offense fed off of it. That's really when our team started becoming a team.
"I think coach Stoker and his staff do an outstanding job. They're in the third year of that system and instead of teaching fundamentals – step one tackling – they're out there running schemes and making adjustments. They're very comfortable in the scheme and I think they're only going to improve."
For once they start from a high place.
Bret Bloomquist may be reached at 546-6357.
The hype leading up to this game has been their O line versus UTEP d lineman due to size versus experience. They have beef, lots of it up front, but UTEP has very experienced defensive lineman with future NFL'er Roy Robertson-Harris who has scouts watching him just as much as they watch Jones. at 6 foot 7 inches 255 lbs, NFL scout salivate at his strength, size and experience.
However, unlike UTEP who have a solid rb unit led by Jones, the hogs are nursing injuries at the rb reserve area and their starter, Williams, is the only one who is claimed to be at one hundred percent, but he has been held out of some scrimmages during fall practice.
The scariest person UTEP needs to watch out for is the TE Hunter Henry who was tabbed by ESPN as a pre-season first team All American. Kansas State TE's man handled and whipped up UTEP really good last year. Hopefully there is no repeat. As per ESPN....."
"Tight end Hunter Henry was named Monday as a first-team preseason All-American by ESPN.
Henry, a junior who leads all SEC tight ends with 65 receptions the past two seasons, is one of six SEC players on the All-America list and the only tight end.
The Pulaski Academy product had 28 receptions for 409 yards and 2 touchdowns as a freshman and 37 catches for 513 yards and 2 touchdowns last year. Henry has two career 100-yard games, including a career-best 110 yards on seven catches last season in a 17-10 loss at No. 1 Mississippi State.
Henry was also a first-team preseason All-America choice by Athlon Sports and was named to the watch list for the John Mackey Award, which is given each year to the nation’s top tight end.
Henry and senior offensive guard Sebastian Tretola were the two Razorbacks named on ESPN’s preseason All-SEC team. Tretola did not allow a sack in 2014 and was called for only four penalties".http://www.arkansasonline.com/news/2015/aug/25/razorbacks-football-report/?f=sports
The UTEP defensive front includes lineman Gino Bresolin, left, lineman Nick Usher, linebacker Alvin Jones, linebacker Jimmy Musgrave and lineman Roy Robertson-Harris. (MARK LAMBIE — EL PASO TIMES)
UTEP defense is vastly improved behind stout line By Bret Bloomquist / El Paso Times
For so many years, the sight of the UTEP defense running onto the field was a cue for Miner fans to cover their eyes.
A triple-digit national ranking was the norm for a unit that was perennially undersized up front, a trend that carried into Sean Kugler's first season when the Miners had to change defensive coordinators and schemes after his first spring.
Then, suddenly, the culture changed.
From the midpoint of last season on through the Gildan New Mexico Bowl, the defense fulfilled the visions of Kugler and defensive coordinator Scott Stoker as a hard-hitting, aggressive, physical, turnover-producing machine.
That all began on the line and at linebacker, a pair of groups that traditionally were where UTEP had been the most severe shortcomings.
"It all starts up front," said Roy Robertson-Harris, who at 6-foot-7, 255 pounds looks the most like an NFL football player on the squad. "The good thing is with our experience, me being a senior and Ush (Nick Usher) and Gino (Bresolin) being juniors, we get it done. It all goes back to with a good defense, it starts up front."
That's become a good thing. UTEP returns five of the front-six starters from the end of last season, giving the Miners both experience and chemistry.
"We're a brotherhood," Usher said. "It starts with us flying to the ball with athletic ends and nose tackles, running to the ball. The defense always has to start up front."
That's what Kugler said was going to happen when he took over the program.
"I feel real good about our (defensive) line and our depth there at that position, particularly at the end position," he said. "I think we're bigger than we've been inside; we're in the 280-290 (pound) range. The linebackers we have great depth and experience with Alvin Jones, Jimmy Musgrave and Trey Brown. Those guys have all started and had great success for us."
That success blossomed in the final half of 2014 when the defense led a charge that saw UTEP win five of its last seven regular-season games.
"I really felt from the quarter point of last year, particularly after the La. Tech game, our defense flew around," Kugler said. "They were disruptive, they made plays behind the line of scrimmage, they forced turnovers and the offense fed off of it. That's really when our team started becoming a team.
"I think coach Stoker and his staff do an outstanding job. They're in the third year of that system and instead of teaching fundamentals – step one tackling – they're out there running schemes and making adjustments. They're very comfortable in the scheme and I think they're only going to improve."
For once they start from a high place.
Bret Bloomquist may be reached at 546-6357.
I honestly don't think anybody would want to watch last year's Arkansas bowl game. I guess I should post some videos about Incarnate Word as well. lol
That was last year who cares. Even if you do care, Arkansas has the huge advantage in every category in that game. We are playing this game to make a lot of money and get slaughtered. And yes. Kugler has made great improvements but we aren't even close to being on a level that will come close to beating Arkansas.
